rigid container for containing foodstuff comprising fish

Abstract

The invention relates to a rigid container of foodstuff, the foodstuff comprising fish that is present in solid form. The closed container presents substantially no liquid. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing the container and apparatus for manufacturing the container.

1 . A rigid container for containing a foodstuff, the container being made of a material selected from aluminum, steel, glass, and a plastics material that is oxygen-proof, wherein the container contains the foodstuff comprising fish in solid form, in the form of at least one of steaks, pieces, filets, flakes, minced form, or ground form and whole, and when closed, the container contains substantially no liquid. 
     
     
         2 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the foodstuff contained therein is selected from the group constituted of: tuna, salmon, crab, sardine, shrimp, mackerel, white fish, each of which may be at least one of plain and flavored. 
     
     
         3 . A container according to  claim 1 , containing only the foodstuff and nitrogen in gaseous form (N2(g)). 
     
     
         4 . A container according to  claim 1 , containing only the foodstuff and water (H2O(g)) in gaseous form. 
     
     
         5 . A container according to  claim 1 , presenting smooth side walls. 
     
     
         6 . A container according to  claim 1 , having liquid content not greater than 5% of the total weight of the content of the container. 
     
     
         7 . A container according to  claim 1 , having a liquid content that is strictly greater than 5% and not greater than 10% of the total weight of the content of the container. 
     
     
         8 . A method of manufacturing a container according to  claim 1 , including a step of filling foodstuff into the container and a step of eliminating air present in the container. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , in which the step of eliminating air comprises a step of introducing nitrogen in liquid form into the container. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 8 , in which the step of eliminating air comprises a step of introducing water (H2O(g)) in gaseous form into the container. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for manufacturing a container according to  claim 1 , including means for introducing liquid nitrogen into the container. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for manufacturing a container according to  claim 1 , including means for introducing water (H2O(g)) in gaseous form into the container. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the means comprise a steam tunnel and enable-steam to be injected from the sides of the tunnel. 
     
     
         14 . A container according to  claim 6 , having liquid content less than or equal to 1% of the total weight of the content of the container. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for manufacturing a container according to  claim 1 , adapted to introduce liquid nitrogen into the container. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for manufacturing a container according to  claim 1 , adapted to introduce water (H2O(g)) in gaseous form into the container. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein steam is introduced through at least one steam tunnel constructed to allow steam to be injected from the sides of the tunnel.